Weather Folk-lore of the Sea.
471
"falcon" hunting the sun, and say that it indicates stormy weather. The following rhymes give the folk-notion of its appearance and position with regard to the weather[1]: —
"A sin before,
The gale is o'er;
A sin behind,
The gale ye'll quickly find." (Buckie.)
"A sin afore
Ye see no more;
A sin ahin'
Ye'll shortly fin'." (Crovie.)
"A sin before
You'll find no more;
A sin behind
You're sure to find." (Port Errol.)
"One behind
You soon shall find;
One before
You see no more."
"A dog afore
I'll gar you snore;
A dog ahin'
I'll gar you fin'." (Rosehearty.)
At times the order is reversed:—
"A sin behind
Ye soon shall find;
A sin before
Ye get no more." (Macduff.)
"A sin behind
Ye soon shall find;
A sin before
Ye shall no more." (Footdee.)
- ↑ D., p. 79, under " Sun-dogs". M., p. 16 (7).